They took a quick left, entering a corridor where everything was made of stone. In the next room, a lone Fire Guard sat behind a wooden desk, and behind him was a rack containing numerous keys. The warden, Deril guessed.
The Fire Guards took keys from that rack and led the party down a set of stone steps at the end of the room. The bright glow of Sunlamps faded, and soon they stood in the shadowy dungeon. First, the Fire Guards led Faina and Kae into a large cell where a red-haired woman lay on the stone floor, asleep or dead. They put Kadin, Davin, Tharik, and Deril into another cell. As the door clanged closed, Deril felt the suffocating reality of his situation.
He should have expected this the entire time. Atarin was not the kind of man who would let such a weak plan destroy his dreams.
Deril leaned against the cold stone wall, trying to keep the tears away.
Chapter 41: The Final Mission
"Rella, you look terrible."
Rella opened her eyes, looked up, and would have jumped in shock if she'd had the energy. Kae was now in her cell, resting against the wall, frowning in a defeated expression.
"What're you doing here?" Rella said, struggling to sit up. They hadn't tortured her for a while, but her strength had been slow in returning. She wished it wouldn't, wished she could fade away instead of spending the rest of her life here.
"They were ready for us," Kae said. "Don't worry. I don't blame you."
"It's still my fault," Rella said, holding back tears.
"No, it's not," Kae said. "If your current state is any indication, they tortured you terribly. I wouldn't expect anyone to stand up to such torture."
"No. I should have been stronger. The strange thing is I don't remember giving away our plans. But Atarin said I did. I'm sorry."
Now the tears did come. Rella didn't bother to wipe them away.
Kae put a hand on her shoulder, warm and comforting. "That's in the past now. There's nothing you could have done. We just have to think about the future."
"What future?" said another woman. Rella glanced over at her. The skinny woman had long, messy brown hair.
"I'm Faina," she said, scooting closer to Rella. "I'm a Fireweaver like you."
"I'm guessing Tharik is here as well," Rella said. But not Andra.
"Over here," Tharik said from the cell straight across the dungeon. In there with him were three people Rella didn't recognize. They introduced themselves as Kadin, Davin, and Deril. Even in the shadowy dungeon, Rella could see the similarities between Deril and Karik.
"So what do we do now?" Rella said, gathering her strength at last.
"What can we do?" Kae said.
"We've already tried to break through their shields," Deril said, "but they're too strong." He shook his head. "I feel like I've failed everyone."
"Don't blame yourself," Rella said. "Blame me. I'm the one who got caught. I should have been more careful."
Kae put a hand on her shoulder. "You did the best you could."
But Rella didn't believe that. She recognized that she'd been foolish in returning to the Sunlord's chamber when Karik and Atarin suspected her of sneaking around. But even if she hadn't made that visit, they'd have discovered what she was doing. These people didn't take chances. She kept going back in her mind, trying to think of some way she could have achieved a different outcome.
Nothing came to her.
"What about Andra?" Deril asked, looking defeated as he met Kae's gaze.
"I'm not sure what she intends, or if she can even help us. We shouldn't expect anything from her. I doubt Soren has the influence."
Footsteps sounded, echoing from the stairwell. Rella tensed, peering through the bars and across the shadowy dungeon. Who would be visiting them now? She hadn't seen anyone since her final interrogation session. Perhaps somebody was coming for the others.
Everyone fell silent as the footsteps grew louder. At last, the person stepped into view, and Rella felt a hot surge of anger. It was Talin.
"What're you doing here?" she demanded.
Talin glanced down at her with something that almost looked like sympathy. "I wanted to say I'm sorry for what I had to do to you."
She barked a laugh. "And why should I care that you're sorry?"
He spoke in a soft voice. "Because I'm the person who's going to get you out of here."
Everyone stared at him with wide eyes, especially Kae and Tharik.
"Talin, it's good to see you," Kae said. "How're you getting us out of here?"
"You know him?" Rella said.
"He used to be the leader of our clan. I think I mentioned before that he had to go to the Atarin's palace because he was a potential Firelord. I wasn't sure about his loyalties, but I think he's sincere about helping us."
Rella thought back to that conversation that seemed so long ago, but she couldn't remember anything about Talin. Of course, she'd been focused on her own fate then.
"I don't truly support Atarin," Talin said.
"Then why did you torture me?" Rella demanded, glaring at him.
Talin sighed, running a hand through his graying beard. "To operate as a spy for the Brotherhood, I have to give the appearance that I support Atarin. If I'd spared you the torture Atarin wanted, he would've become suspicious."
"Why didn't you tell me what you were sooner?" Rella said. "I could have used some protection."
"I only knew you as a Firelord and Atarin's niece. You never gave me any indication that you didn't support Atarin. I couldn't have trusted you with my secrets."
Rella understood, but she burned with anger. Her energy had begun to return with Talin's offer of aid. A part of her wondered if this was a cruel dream.
"What about once you were torturing me?' she said.
"Do you think you would have believed me? You would have seen it as a ploy to get information out of you. Even if I'd promised to get you out of here, you would have thought I was only doing it for Atarin."
"I understand," Rella said, her anger dying. He was right. She would have assumed he was employing a different interrogation tactic.
"How are you going to help us escape?" Deril said from the other cell.
"I can't do it today," Talin said. "There's too much security around the dungeon. Tomorrow, however, it'll be much easier. Most of the palace's security will be stationed in the wing of the palace where the Sunlord is being kept, and where they intend to free Halarik."
"But how are we going to get there?" Rella asked, stomach churning.
A rare smile crossed Talin's face. "It'll be quite easy, actually. We'll use that secret passage to gain access to the Sunlord's chamber. We'll meet some resistance along the way, but not as much as we would if we tried to barge into the wing from its entrance."
This didn't feel quite right to Rella. "But wouldn't they have guards around the room?"
"They don't think they need guards there," Talin said. "We created a powerful weave, sealing the room. But I left a weakness in that weave. I can break through it in a few seconds. We'll be putting a similar weave around the dungeon's entrance later today, so that we can devote all our resources to that wing."
"Will there be more of these weaves along the way?" Deril asked.
"Yes, and I took part in all of them. That's why it was so important that I earn Atarin's trust. I became one of his most trusted, and I'll be the one to foil his plans."
Rella's heart fluttered. She had hope for the first time in weeks. A strange feeling.
* * * * *
Deril slept fitfully that night. No matter how confident Talin was in his plan, there was a good chance something would go wrong. Deril also hated the time pressure. They couldn't escape the dungeon until Atarin started the ritual.
At times, he paced the cell, thinking of how he might make this work. Talin had addressed his part of the plan, but Deril had work to do.
If Kadin's feel for the sun was accurate, that meant Deril's father had continued his Sunlord duties, which meant there had to be a sun chamber in
the palace, probably within the wing where his father was held. Deril had to send Kadin to that wing and pray that Kadin would manage the Sunlord's weave. Kadin couldn't be part of the battle.
Deril felt sick to his stomach. He had never been that strong of a planner. He'd always preferred to act in the moment and let Tiran devise the plans, but Tiran wasn't here anymore. In some ways, Deril had accepted the loss. In others, he rebelled at the very thought.
But he couldn't think about Tiran right now. Tomorrow's plan was much more important.
The others didn't sleep well either, so Deril had the opportunity to share his rough plan with them. They appeared to trust him, although he didn't trust himself. Strange.
Then the waiting began. In the dungeon, there was no day or night, only a rough estimation of time. Deril checked his light reserves, glad that he hadn't expended any of them the morning they'd arrived at Haladel. The Fireweavers would also have plenty, as they could take power from the core even with a shield around them.
At last, footsteps sounded. Deril peered through the bars, waiting for Talin's arrival. Please let it be Talin, and not some Fire Guard here to execute us.
When the person stepped into view, Deril exhaled with relief. Thank Aralea—it was Talin.
"It's time," Talin said, showing them two keys. He unlocked both cells. Everyone stepped out into the dark dungeon corridor, glancing around as though guards might come storming in.
"Rella, are you sure you want to be a part of this?" Kae asked. "You still look weak."
"I'll manage," Rella said as they started walking. She did look pale and unsteady. Deril couldn't imagine how she'd survived so much torture. Yes, Orange weaves were not meant to kill, but they often did if the torturer wasn't careful. Rella had Talin to thank for her life.
Deril walked up beside Talin. "Has the process started?"
Talin nodded, his features tight with worry. "We still have time, though."
Let's hope you're right. Deril tried to quell his rising fear as they walked up the steps and out of the dungeon. The warden no longer sat behind his desk.
"How much resistance are we going to face?" Deril asked Talin.
"As long as no one sees us coming out of here, we should be all right."
As if that was supposed to make Deril feel better. He said nothing, though, following Talin to the door. Talin held up a hand, opened the door, and peered through. After a few tense moments, he motioned for everyone to follow him.
They stepped out into the bright palace corridor. It was empty for the moment, but how long would that last? Deril's entire body tensed, and he glanced in both directions before following Talin. When they'd first come to the palace, it had been loud, bustling with activity, but now it sounded deserted.
As they approached the grand foyer, Deril heard voices, and the sound helped him relax. His party did look rather ragged, though, and he worried they'd stand out.
They stepped out into the foyer, where people were going about their usual business. A few people glanced at the party, but no one appeared to suspect them—or at least Deril hoped that was the case.
The party had moved into a more natural walking formation, spread about the foyer. It would look suspicious if they were all clearly following Talin.
Of course, Deril had the feeling they looked suspicious anyways, like none of them belonged here in the grand palace, walking across its rich wooden floors.
Talin led them into the closest corridor. More people crowded this corridor, and that crowd included a few Fire Guards. Deril's heart climbed into his throat as they passed the Fire Guards. What if some of them were the same ones who'd taken the party prisoner?
No one stopped them, though.
Perhaps their proximity to Talin helped them. Talin was one of Atarin's closest advisors, so maybe Fire Guards didn't question Talin. Still, Deril's legs felt as though they'd collapse. Every breath was a great effort.
At last, they reached the door to Rella's chamber, which stood in a deserted section of the corridor. No Fire Guards patrolled anywhere within sight.
Talin touched a hand to the reinforced wooden door, closed his eyes for a few moments, then opened the door and led the party inside. Once they'd all entered, Talin shut the door. For the moment, it appeared no one had seen them.
Talin opened a wardrobe in the corner of the room. There was a hole in the bottom of the wardrobe, and beneath it a section of stone that marked the entrance to the secret passage.
Bending low, Talin touched it, and the passage rumbled open.
"Get inside," he said. "I'll close it behind us."
Deril slipped into the dark passage, trying to calm his unsteady breathing. The others followed. No one had said anything for a long time, but he could sense their fear. They followed the passage, casting Yellow to light the way. Another soft rumble, the passage closing behind them. As darkness flooded their surroundings, Deril's heart climbed into his throat.
Relax, Deril. Getting anxious will only get you killed.
They reached the end of the passage. Above them, square markings indicated the passage's other exit. Talin pushed through the party, a struggle in the tight confines, then touched the exit. It rumbled open, and he pulled himself up through the hole.
Deril followed, entering a chamber that looked much like Rella's—warm and luxurious.
"At least they've treated my father well," Deril said.
"They're not complete monsters," Talin said. He glanced at Rella, shaking his head.
Rella still looked pale. "I forgive you, Talin. You had no choice. I see that now."
"Thank you," Talin said. "Now let's make sure this plan works."
"Do you know where the sun chamber is?" Deril asked.
"Yes, and I was part of the protections around it." Talin reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, which he handed to Kadin. "This will get you inside. My weave will protect you once you're in there—at least for a while."
Kadin turned the key over in his hands. "Let's hope I can do this."
Faina touched his shoulder. "You can do it, Kadin. After all, you got me away from that plantation, and that looked impossible. How is this any worse?"
Deril wished he could say something to comfort the boy, but he felt too tense, too anxious. Deep breaths didn't help.
He wouldn't let his fear show, however, as he turned to face the rest of the group. "Faina and Rella, I want you to go with Kadin. You can help protect him."
"I'll help as well," Tharik said. "I'm a decent Fireweaver, but I won't stand a chance where you're going."
"Then it's settled," Deril said. There was no time to waste. He looked to his new party: Talin, Kae, and Davin. If someone had told him before this all started that he would have to save the world with three Fireweavers at his side, he would have laughed in their face.
"Be careful, Kae," Tharik said.
"You, too."
"How heavily guarded is the corridor?" Deril asked Talin.
Talin hesitated a moment. "There are many guards at the entrance, two farther in, and another two where we're going. If we work together, we can kill them all silently. Then we won't have to worry about everyone at the entrance to the corridor. You and Davin can weave shields to silence them and keep them from attacking us. Kae and I will do a Red/Orange weave."
"Good plan," Deril said. It sounded like it would work. Still, he didn't want to think about what remained ahead of them.
"Let's go," Talin said, opening the wooden door and peering out into the corridor. After a moment, he beckoned the rest of the party forward. Deril stepped through the door, and when he glanced to his right, he saw the two guards at the hall's entrance gazing the other direction.
Talin nodded, and they stepped closer. Once they were within range, Deril and Davin cast a shield together, making sure it would allow their attacks to pass through. Moments later, fire erupted around the two guards. With the shields silencing them, they screamed out in silent anguish. Deril felt a little sorry f
or them, but he had bigger concerns at the moment.
When the guards fell still, Talin motioned for the party to follow him. They walked along the corridor and stopped about halfway to a junction.
Talin gestured toward the door at his right. "This is the sun chamber."
Kadin's face was paler than ever as he inserted the key in the lock. He slipped inside, followed by Faina, Rella, and Tharik. They eased the door closed.
"It's time to go," Talin said.
As Deril followed, he felt the sneaking suspicion that Kadin had the easier task.
Chapter 42: Halarik
Kadin stood in the sun chamber, looking up through the giant hole in the ceiling, feeling the sun's weakening rays. He hated how everyone acted like he could manage this with little effort. How could he hope to perform this weave under so much pressure?
"Just focus," Faina said. She looked skinnier than ever, weaker.
Kadin took a few deep breaths, his stomach churning. "I know. It sounds so simple."
He strode to the center of the chamber and took a seat in the sun. For most of his life, he had wondered how it must feel to be the Sunlord. In truth, it felt strange sitting in a room like this, expecting to perform miracles. How could his life have changed so much in so little time?
Faina, Rella, and Tharik stood guard by the door, and Kadin tried to ignore their presence. Maybe he could do this if he pretended no one was watching him.
His chest felt tight, his entire body tense. He took deep breath after deep breath, trying to sort through his anxious thoughts. All he had to do was add one more color to the weave. Don't think about what's going on elsewhere. Focus on what you can control.
He tried and tried, weaving three colors together, then four, then five. But whenever he tried to add the sixth color, he hit a block. His heart pounded, and he felt sick.
Please, Aralea—or whoever's out there—let Deril succeed. I can't do it.
* * * * *
Deril followed Talin down the corridor, his chest so tight he could barely breathe. Their party of four, including Kae and Davin, rounded a corner to the right. Ahead of them, two Fire Guards stood in front of what looked like a blank wall, but Deril knew it was the door to where they needed to go.
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